Junk basket



Sept. 1959 J. M. KELLNER EI'AL 2,906,341

JUNK BASKET FiledMafch 22, 1956 UPPER LOCKING DOGS SEALING MEANS I PRIMARY FLUID PASSING OUT I BORE ANNULUS j omu. COLLAR o t k\\\\\\ FIGURE I Jackson M. KeIIner John M. Camp BORE HOLE WALLS FIGURE 2 Inventors FIGURE 3 By Z/ -U Attorney n ited States Patent JUNK BASKET Jackson M. Kellner and John M. Camp, Tulsa, Okla, as-

signors, by mesne assignments, to Jersey Production Research Company Application March 22, 1956, Serial No. 573,282

2 Claims. 01. 166-99) The present invention is concerned with an improved apparatus for the removal of objectionable objects from the bottom of a bore hole. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted to be used in conjunction with a drill stem utilizing a retractable bit. In accordance with the present invention the retractable bit can be removed from the bottom of the bore hole and the apparatus or junk basket passed downwardly through the drill stem and used in a manner to remove the objectionable objects from the bottom of the bore hole. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly characterized in that it can be readily positioned at the bottom of the bore hole and that a high velocity fluid flow be obtained therein in order to readily pick up the objectionable objects.

It is well known in the art to drill bore holes into the earths substrata by various means. Generally, a drill stem and various types of bits are employed wherein the bit is rotated by the rotation of the drill stem. However, in many of these operations various undesirable objects become positioned at the bottom of the bore hole and it is, therefore necessary to remove the same before continuing the drilling operation. In accordance with a specific adaptation of the invention, a bit such as retractable bit is removed and the retractable junk basket positioned at the bottom of the bore hole by means of a wire line and the objectionable object removed therefrom.

The objects and manner of operation of this invention will become apparent as a further description of'the invention is given, hence, reference will next be given to the accompanying drawings herein, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic cross section of a junk basket suitable for practicing the invention;

Figure 2 is a section A-A as shown on Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section B-B as shown on Figure 1 showing closure formed by flappers 40. V

The present invention may bereadily appreciated by reference to the drawing illustrating one adaptation of the same. Referring specifically to the drawing in Fig. 1, a drill collar 1 secured to the lower end of a drill string is illustrated containing secured thereto the junk basket apparatusof the present invention. The entire assembly is shown positioned near the bottom of bore hole 2 concentrically positioned within the bore hole walls 3. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an outer shell 4 having anupper cylindrical element 42 and a lower cylindrical element 44 which are rigidly secured together at4'5 as by welding, for example, or any other suitable means. Upper cylinder 42 has attached at its upper end upper locking dogs 5 actuated by spring element 6. Upper locking dogs 5 are pivoted at 46 and are urged outwardly by expansion spring element 6. An upper locking dog spring retainer 47 is mounted on the upper end of cylinder 42 and may enclose the upper end of the cylinder 42; or if preferred, spring retainer 47 may be constructed such as to provide a fluid passageway through the upper end of cylinder 42. These locking 2,906,341- Patented Sept. 29, 1959 dogs contain shoulder elements 7 which seat in the circumferential recess 8 in the drill collar, thus preventing upward movement of the junk basket apparatus with respect to the drill collar. Thus, as the junk basket is lowered downwardly within the drill stem by suitable wire line means to the position below recess 8, the locking dogs will move outwardly and seat their shoulders under recess 8. Further downward movement of the junk basket assembly with respect to the drill collar is prevented by lower locking dogs 9 which are actuated by spring elements 10 to seat in a lower circumferential recess in the drill collar. Lower locking dogs 9 are pivoted at 50 and are urged outwardly by expansion spring element 10..

After the junk basket assembly has been positioned by suitable wire line means, fluid is circulated downwardly within the drill stem. The fluid passes do-wnr wardly within the drill collar 1 past the upper locking dogs 5 and downwardly within passage 12 formed between the outer shell of the junk basket and the inner surface of the drill collar. The down flowing liquid passes by lower locking dogs 9 to ports 13 which permit the liquid to flow from the area between the junk basket and the inner wall of the drill collar to withinthe outer shell 4.

Lower cylindrical element 44 has an upper enclosed space or chamber 17 formed between an upper partition 18 and an intermediate partition 19. A lower enclosed space or chamber 14 is formed between intermediate partition 19 and lower partition 23. Tube element or conduit 34 extends preferably substantially vertically from and through upper partition 18 to and through intermediate partition 19 and provides a fluid passageway between the interior of upper cylindrical element 42 and the lower enclosed space or chamber 14. Ports 20, in the walls of chamber 17, provide fluid communication between the interior of the upper chamber 17 and the annular space between the exterior of lower cylindrical element 44 and the borehole wall. An open-end chamber or space 22 is provided beneath partition 23 in lower cylindrical element 44. A passageway or a second con duit 16 extends preferably substantially verticallyfrom below lower partition 23 to above said intermediate partition 19 and provides fluid communication from the partially enclosed space or chamber 22 which is formed beneath lower partition 23 and the wall of lower cylindrical element 44. Conduit 16 is provided with a high velocity jet pump or nozzle comprising upwardly and inwardly directed primary nozzles 15. Core catches 40,

pivoted about pivot pins 21 with top of hinges beingshown at 48 in Fig. 3, are provided at the open end of space 22 and are rotatable about pivots 21 in a arc from a horizontal to a vertical position. Downward rotation beyond these limits is prevented by any suitable means such as stops 49. Catchers 40 are spaced circumferentially around the inner wall of lower cylindrical element 44 in such a manner that catchers 44 make a partial closure for the lower end of space 22 when'in the position shown in Figures land 3. Sealing means 24 are provided to seal the space between the interior of the drill collar and the exterior of the upper cylindrical element. Sealing means 24 are below ports 13 and therefore prevent the flow of fluid downwardly in the drill collar except through ports 13 and on to passageway 34.

Inoperation, liquid flowing down past lower locking dogs 9 .passes"through ports 13 from the space'between the shell 4 and the inner walls of the "drill collar 1' to the interior of upper cylindrical element 42. Fluid may also, flow through the upper end of upper cylindrical element 42 if it is not completely closed by retainer 47. The liquid then flows downwardly through conduit 34to lower chamber 14. The fluid from lower chamber 14 passes upwardly and inwardly through primary nozzles 15 up through conduit 16 and into upper enclosed chamber 17. The fluid then flows through ports 20 in the walls of lower cylindrical element 44 into the annular space between the outer walls of the lower cylindrical element 44 and the walls of the borehole.

The drilling fluid passes upwardly through primary nozzles 15 and aspirates fluid from the bottom of the borehole 2, through space 22 and thence through the lower end of conduit 16. The entire mixture flows upwardly and out of the top of conduit 16 to chamber 17. The fluid from chamber 17 flows through port elements 20 into the annular space between the outer surface of the junk basket and the borehole wall. A portion of the flu d flows upwardly in this space while the remainder flows downwardly in the annular space between the junk basket and the borehole wall and around the lower lip of the junk basket. This recycling fluid flows inwardly into space 22, past catchers 40, and upwardly through conduit 16. Catchers 40 being spaced circumferentially around the inner wall of shell 4 form a partial closure for the lower end of partially enclosed space 22; and objectional objects or junk which may lie in the bottom of the borehole are swept upwardly past catchers 40, the larger objects being trapped in the partially enclosed space 22. The smaller materials flow upwardly through conduit 16 and are trapped in the lower part of lower chamber 17 When it is desired to remove the junk basket, a circular collar element is lowered downwardly through the drill string by suitable means. This collar seats over ears 41, forcing the locking dogs inwardly. This release means also latches underneath the lips of the upper locking dogs and provides a means for lifting the apparatus to the surface. A suitable unlocking device or fishing tool which may be used with this apparatus is illustrated in US. Patent No. 2,764,388 granted September 25, 1956, on an application filed January 29, 1952, by I. M. Camp with attention being directed especially to Figure 7.

As specified above, the present invention is concerned with an improved apparatus for the recovery of objectionable articles from the bottom of the bore hole. The apparatus is particularly characterized by being retractable in that it can be positioned in the bottom of a bore hole and withdrawn without the necessity of pulling the string drill. In essence, the apparatus uses an upflowing aspiration of recycling liquid at the bottom of the bore hole in order to wash or sweep up these undesirable articles to traps or baskets within the apparatus.

What is claimed is:

1. Improved apparatus for removing objects from the bottom of bore holes and designed to be lowered and removed within a pipe string which comprises an upper cylindrical element having ports establishing fluid communication between the inside of said upper cylindrical element and without said upper cylindrical element; means contacting said upper cylindrical element for supporting said apparatus in a well bore; a lower cylindrical element rigidly attached to the lower end of said upper cylindrical element; an upper chamber formed in the upper portion of said lower cylindrical element by an initial partition in the top section of said lower cylindrical element and sealingly engaging the inner wall thereof, a second partition element positioned below said initial partition and sealingly engaging the inner wall of said lower cylindrical element; said upper chamber having outlet ports in the wall thereof; an intermediate chamber in said lower cylindrical element below said upper chamber and formed by said second partition, the walls of said lower cylindrical element and a third partition element positioned below said second partition element and sealingly engaging the walls of the lower cylindrical element; a lower partially enclosed chamber formed in said lower cylindrical element below said intermediate chamber by said third partition, the walls of said lower cylindrical element, and pivoted catcher elements extending outwardly and designed for inward displacement attached at the lower end of said lower cylindrical element; a conduit establishing fluid communication between the upper cylindrical element and said intermediate chamber and non-communicative with said upper chamber, a nozzle extending from said lower chamber into said upper chamber; primary nozzles inclining upwardly through the walls of said nozzle establishing fluid communication between said intermediate chamber and said nozzle, whereby when fluid is sent down the drill pipe, it is directed through the ports of said upper cylindrical element into said upper cylindrical element downwardly through said conduit into the interior of said intermediate chamber, said liquid then being directed upwardly through said primary nozzle into said nozzle aspirating liquid and junk from the bottom of said well bore into said lower chamber upwardly through said nozzle into said upper chamber with the heavy junk objects being dropped in said lower chamber and retained by said catcher elements and the lighter junk objects being entrained in the aspirated fluid and being disposed in said upper chamber with the liquid passing outwardly through said outlet ports in said upper chamber thereby establishing a path of circulation through the lower end of the apparatus.

2. An apparatus for removing objects from the bottom of a borehole comprising a cylindrical element; a first partition element in the top section of said cylindrical element and sealingly engaging the wall thereof; a second partition element positioned below the first partition element and sealingly engaging the inner wall of said cylindrical element, with an upper interior chamber being formed between said first partition element and said second partition element and the walls of said cylindrical element; a third partition element in the lower section of said cylindrical element and sealingly engaging the inner wall thereof, with a lower interior chamber being formed between said second partition element and said third partition element, said first and said third partition elements being spaced intermediate the ends of said cylindrical element with the lower and upper cylindrical element ends opening outwardly above said upper interior chamber and below said lower interior chamber; a first conduit communicating between the lower open end of said cylindrical element and said upper interior chamber, said first conduit being characterized by having a jet passageway for fluid opening thereinto from said lower interior chamber; a second conduit communicating between the upper end of said cylindrical element and said lower interior chamber; port means to discharge fluid from said upper interior chamber to the exterior of said cylindrical element; a series of finger elements disposed in spaced relationship circumferentially of the wall of the lower end of said cylindrical element, with said finger elements mounted for displacement inwardly of said end; and means contacting said cylindrical element for supporting said apparatus in a borehole.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,290,141 Burt July 14, 1942 2,380,669 Mowrey July 31, 1945 2,550,080 Moore Apr. 24, 1951 2,645,290 Fortenberry July 14, 1953 

